Separation anxiety happen with young children and even when they sleep alone. Sleep & separation anxiety can be some of the problems of some parents. When babies spend time clinging on to parents, they eventually form an attachment or separation anxiety. This separation anxiety is noticeable around 7 to 8 months.
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When the baby starts being able to tell apart adults from each other. They will recognize you by the time you’re leaving the room, and then throw a fit.
Separation anxiety usually is a good thing in some aspects, as the baby is learning how to bond with their parents. If your baby doesn’t share any bond whatsoever, this may be a cause for alarm. However, it can be frustrating when your baby throws a fit because you have to leave the room. They don’t quite understand that you will be back and assume that because you left the room, you’re gone forever. Babies and toddlers don’t exactly run on logic, after all.
Separation Anxiety & Sleeping
Separation anxiety can damage a baby’s sleep even if they’re holding their favorite toy or any object permanence in the crib and have a white noise or night light on. When a baby isn’t near their parents while sleep training, they may wake up quite a bit and be upset and have a hard time staying calm. You may notice this in the 8-10 months stage of the baby, where normal sleep regressions can happen. A normal sleep regression is when the baby was once a heavy napper in the crib, but now they are waking up more frequently, leading to you being a little frustrated. You may feel like your baby is making a power play with you with their sleep problems. But you should also understand what your child feel. It is a normal part of developmental milestones. These developmental leaps, albeit very challenging must be considered part of positive experienced as parents. Try to make your baby feel safe. If they start to stop crying, this is a good sign. Note that babies can also sense your feelings and emotions as a mother.
Such anxiety does come and go — it’s normal. After a while, your baby may realize that all is well and go back in the bed, but then they may have another case of sleep regressions at 18 months, and then two years. Sometimes, a toddler’s isolation anxiety & sleep deprivation lasts for much longer, and may even last all during their toddlerhood. It can be frustrating when you have to put your baby or toddler to bed. All they do is be worried, which is why they cry. Why can’t the toddler just sleep, realize that everything is going to be okay? As your nights get more sleepless , you see more sleep problems, you may not know what to do. It is a challenge. Luckily, we have a few solutions.
- Separation anxiety can disrupt a baby’s sleep, even with familiar toys, object permanence, white noise, or nightlights present
- Babies may experience heightened wakefulness and distress when not near parents, commonly around 8-10 months during typical sleep regressions and separation anxiety
- Sleep regressions & separation anxiety indicate a shift from being a sound sleeper to waking more often, which can be stressful for parents
- Understanding that a baby’s sleep struggles are a normal part of developmental progress can help parents cope with the challenges such as separation anxiety
- Providing a sense of safety & responding to a baby’s cues positively can ease their separation anxiety & lead to calming down
- Parental emotions & separation anxiety can influence a baby’s sense of security, highlighting the need for calm reassurance
- Sleep issues & separation anxiety may persist into toddlerhood, with possible recurrences at 18 months and two years, leading to sleep deprivation for both toddler and parent
- Dealing with a child’s bedtime separation anxiety is a common challenge, but there are strategies to manage it and improve the situation
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Beating Separation Anxiety
A child’s isolation anxiety can be a good thing, as we said. It confirms that your baby has a deep attachment to you, but when you’re struggling to get sleep, you may wonder if there’s any way for you to defeat it. Well, we do have some good news. There are some ways to beat it. We have a few of them right now. They won’t be foolproof, and it will still take time, but by doing these, you can prevent it from growing worse. Read on to learn to learn more how to improve your child’s sleep and achieve a better baby’s life. We understand that most babies experience this disorder, so help your child to stay calm and end the sleepless nights.
Fix Your Sleep Routine
You want to have a good, consistent sleep routine that’s as soothing as possible. Dim the lights, have your child take a nice, hot bath, play peek-a-boo, and let them relax as best as possible. Read them a story, avoid any screens, and they should be able to fall asleep quite well. Practice the same sleep ritual as you do, and it may help your baby quite a bit.
As you put your baby to bed, remain calm and relaxed, even if your little one decides to throw a worried fit. Your child may see you being upset as a sign that something is wrong. By remaining calm, it can rub off on your baby and allow them to fall asleep much easier. Raising a fuss can make your baby raise a fuss, and make the problem a whole lot worse.
When you leave, make sure that you don’t sneak away in a way that can upset your baby. Some parents will leave when the toddler looks drowsy, but a child cries more often and your toddler gets worried about sleep even more. Leaving suddenly can make your toddler feel like they don’t know what to do, and it’s something you don’t want to make new habits of. You need to establish a bedtime routine.
Instead, what you should do is tell your child goodnight and then leave with them seeing you do so. This can help you out in the long run. Make the goodnights friendly, reassuring, but firm as well, and it can help you with any problems you have. It is a good idea to practice saying goodbye while helping them cope feelings and fear of being left alone. Regardless, you must remind your child all the time that you love them and that you are not going to be back. Another way to assure or comfort them is to put them in their happy place – a crib or nursery room. Consistency is key. Once your baby adapts to the routine, putting them to sleep or making them nap will no longer be a problem. However, while it is good to practice your child seeing you leave them in their bedroom, you should also spend time with them. Teach them nap time but also play with them during your free time.
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Comforting Your Child
When your baby wakes up in the middle of the night and is crying, you may wonder what the battle plan is. Wait it out and hope the kid falls asleep? This sounds tempting, but it’s not the best move. Comfort your child for a good deal while and sing them a song or play peek-a-boo? Not that, either. Doing this can create a bad habit. You don’t want to stay for too long, but ignoring it isn’t a plan, either.
Instead, you should make sure you comfort your child, but do it very briefly and then leave. Again, you may feel the temptation to start sleep next to them or invite the child in your child’s room, but that’s not the best deal or plan of action. Make it short, sweet, and to the point, and it can help your child out in the long run. Just make sure your child isn’t making a total habit out of it.
Separation anxiety is definitely a frustrating struggle, but please don’t give in. Mommy, screaming at your baby several times or trying to give in every night and always being with them can create some bad habits. Eventually, this phase will pass, with the baby being able to start sleeping or taking naps without your help. It can be a challenge, but you can do it.
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Conclusion
Separation apprehension in babies at night is another battle against your sleep your baby can wage war on. Like any battle, you also need to remain calm. Do not lose your cool. It can feel hard to do so, but by following some basic rules, you can be able to do it.
Until then, make sure that you aren’t being too harsh or too giving in multiple times. This way, your baby can have a restful night. The next day, your baby will wake up feeling refreshed & ready to go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Stop Babies From Being Clingy At Night At Eighteen Months?
Experience separation anxiety is a normal part of a baby’s emotional development. Certified pediatric sleep consultants suggest that parents can proactively address separation anxiety by establishing independent sleep routines early on. This can help ease the transition when the separation anxiety phase begins. A few reasons for separation anxiety start can include changes in routine or environment. When a baby cries upon separation, providing reassurance and consistency can aid in building trust and confidence.
How Can I Help My Baby Sleep?
If your baby is displaying signs of separation apprehension at bedtime, it’s important to understand that this is a normal stage in a child’s development. Reassure your baby that everything will be okay and establish an age appropriate bedtime routine that involves activities like playing peek a boo. Disrupted sleep due to separation apprehension can be challenging for the whole family, but patience and consistent reassurance can help deal with separation apprehension effectively.
What Does Separation Apprehension & Sleep At Bedtime Look Like For Other Adults?
Sleep or separation anxiety among kids can be stressful for adults. For moms, they may not enjoy naptime themselves and may need to tend the baby all the time. That is why if your baby has separation anxiety, you need to practice them to develop independence.
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Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Harold Chan
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